USC Trojans Football: 5 Areas of Vulnerability for UCLA

With the Trojans' annual crosstown rivalry game against UCLA fast approaching, many are questioning whether USC has what takes to continue its decade-plus long domination of the powder blue and gold boys.

And to be certain, this years version of the Bruins do not even remotely resemble those of recent years past.

Sporting a very efficient offense put in place by its first-year coach Jim Mora Jr., UCLA finds themselves with a better record (8-2) than the Trojans and led by a redshirt freshman quarterback (Brett Hundley) who doesn't know better, the Bruins fully expect to win this game in front of a home crowd that expects the same.

So what are the Trojans to do? How can Lane Kiffin and his staff prepare their team to meet an opponent who would love nothing more than to prove that it's the new power in Los Angeles.

Well, fortunately for Kiffin, the Trojans and their legions of fans, UCLA—despite its significant improvement—does have weaknesses.

This slideshow will look at five areas where the Bruins can be had and how USC can take advantage of these deficiencies in UCLA's game.

Focus on these areas and this game is yours for the taking Coach Kiffin.

No. 5: UCLA Isn't Very Efficient Inside the Red Zone

Let's get one thing straight right off the bat. UCLA has a very, very good offense.

So good in fact, that in order to find something for Trojan defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin to smile about, I had to look long and hard, but at long last, I succeeded.

In fact, there are a couple of areas where the Bruins offense leaves something to be desired and the first of these is its red-zone offense which—quite frankly—isn't very good.

Ranked a very mediocre 64th in the nation in this category, UCLA doesn't always find scoring opportunities when inside its opponents 20-yard line.

There are many reasons for this—not the least of which is that their quarterback is very young—but the point is that when the Bruins get into scoring position, Kiffin Sr. needs to unleash his young charges.

With a short field working to his advantage, Kiffin's defense can be very effective for one very important reason which will be revealed in the next slide.

No. 4: The Bruins Give Up a LOT of Plays Where They Lose Yardage

Despite an offense that ranks 13th in total yards, 22nd in scoring and 17th in passing efficiency, UCLA has one very significant chink in its armor, and this plays right into the Trojans hands.

You see, USC has been very good this year when it comes to getting into its opponents backfield and throwing them for losses. So good that it is tied for fourth in the nation in that very important statistic.

This bodes well for the cardinal and gold because UCLA has been positively horrible when it comes to getting tossed for a loss.

Having given up 2664 yards through the first 10 games, the guys from Westwood have shown a propensity to allow yards through the air in big chunks, which is very good news for a Trojan team that is ranked 17th in the nation in passing offense.

So is it likely that Trojan quarterback Matt Barkley and his cadre of talented receivers featuring all-everything Marqise Lee rains down footballs in abundance this Saturday in Pasadena?

Conclusion

For the first time in years, there is doubt as to which Los Angeles college football team is superior.

UCLA comes into this game sporting a better record, ranking and will have a fired-up crowd screaming itself hoarse throughout the contest.

Perhaps as importantly, the bitter taste of last year's 50-0 thrashing at the hands of the men of Troy will still be burning in their collective memory.

Led by first-year coach Jim Mora Jr. and redshirt freshman QB Hundley—neither of whom have direct knowledge of USC's dominance—UCLA will enter this weekend's game firmly convinced that it can add to the Trojans' misery in 2012.

Whether they are right depends on USC exploiting those areas where the Bruins are vulnerable.

If the Trojans can tear at the soft underbelly of UCLA's flaws, they can continue their mastery of their southland neighbors.

Otherwise, it could be a very, very long day for USC and their hordes of fans.